Active Living Promoted in New Hope’s City Center
With a new city hall and police department under construction, and a new pool coming soon, there’s momentum in New Hope’s city center.
Now the city wants to build upon that energy. It will get help from a $15,000 active living grant from Hennepin County. New Hope will also contribute $5,000. The money help find ways to make New Hope’s city center a hub for new community activities and events. Aaron Chirpich, New Hope’s community development specialist, says the grant could bring a list of possibilities.
“Is it more shows at the outdoor theater? Is it an open mic night? Is it bands in the park? Is it an art fair on the [city’s] convertible street? Things like that,” says Chirpich.
Making New Hope’s City Center a Hub for Activities
The grant money specifically secures a contract with a consulting group. That group will study the city and conduct workshops with local businesses and residents. The work will help determine how to make New Hope’s city center area, along 42nd Avenue North, a hub for community activities and events.
“The goal from there is to create a report that staff can use to say ‘here’s some of the things that were recommended, here’s something that we did, what works, let’s try some of these things,'” says Chirpich.
At the end of the study, there will be a big public event in New Hope’s city center. That’s likely to happen later this fall.
